Addressing challenges of water resilience: a study of water security risk in pastoralist households in Kenya

Pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya face increasing water security risks attributable to disruptions in their hydro-climatic and socio-ecological environments. Sedentary pastoralists, women and children are most vulnerable to spatial-temporal variations in water availability. This vulnerability is exacerbated by embedded power relations within existing socio-cultural and water governance systems. A preliminary study carried out in 2015/16 examined pastoralist women’s disempowerment in relation to the domestic water security constraints they face. The research found subjective evidence that women with diversified livelihoods and social capital are more resilient to water stress. The follow on study being carried out in 2018 builds on these findings and is aiming to provide empirical evidence on factors behind water security and factors that enhance resilience for vulnerable pastoralist communities. The study is being carried out in both urban and rural communities in Samburu County and is applying a mixed methods research methodology incorporating both quantitative and innovative, qualitative research approaches.